The railroad didn’t just pass through Flatonia; it put this tiny Texas town on the map. The village flourished after popping up in the 1870s as a junction on the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway. Roughly a century later, the coast-to-coast Interstate 10 finally carved its way through the area, bringing with it a mighty boom in tourists, as well as a bevy of new roadside businesses.
A few lodgings can also be found right off the highway today. Among them, the Best Western Plus, Carefree Inn, and Sunset Inn all come top-rated on Tripadvisor. Toward the middle of town in Flatonia’s walkable downtown district you’ll find The Historic Olle Hotel, which perfectly exudes the charming city’s laid-back atmosphere. The rustic inn boasts a nearly perfect score on Yelp. One review reads, “If you enjoy the beauty of history, the quiet or small town Texas and traditional southern hospitality (right down to homemade cookies for the guest) Hotel Olle is a must!” Prefer to camp it out? Flatonia Glamping Resort & RV Park on the outskirts of town may not have made the list of the best lesser-known RV destinations across America, but it’s a guest-pleaser nonetheless.
Although it’s a bit off-the-beaten path, Flatonia is still pretty easy to get to. It’s perched right in between San Antonio and Houston in Fayette County. Head east along the I-10 from the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and you’ll be in town in about an hour and a half. Venture west from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and you’ll be in Flatonia in about two hours. And if you needed any more evidence that Texas has the most airports, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is also in the vicinity, situated only about an hour away.
Feel the Southern hospitality in Flatonia, Texas
Flatonia, Texas is about as inviting and laid-back as they come. As the local government notes on its website: “People in Flatonia are friendly, inviting and the spirit of the community can be felt on every street corner.” Fewer than 1,500 Texans call the place home, so if you spend enough time ’round these parts, you’ll likely become a familiar face. “I have lived in Flatonia for about 10 years where we moved from a bigger city and it was a big transformation to come and live in the small town,” one local wrote on Niche. “Everyone knows everyone and that way you are able to go out and meet all of the business and members and create relationships with the people of the town.”…